Columns

It would be hypocritical to be involved with issues of newsprint dedicated to telling candidates’ stories, challenging contenders, sponsoring forums and encouraging people to vote and then not go out and vote myself.

So I do my part to show up at the polls each Election Day. I thought about doing early voting this year, but I think there’s something more exciting about going to the polls on Election Day.

I love visiting schools, and I love good news, so last week was a win-win. Covering the education beat definitely keeps me busy, but I always tell teachers to let me know of any events going on at the school. If my schedule will allow time, I’ll be there. From class projects to student accomplishments, I cover them all.
Last week was no different. In less than two days, I spent time at three different schools in the county and was equally impressed with what was going on inside.

Just about every retailer these days stakes a claim in the Halloween business.

You can find costumes, wigs, accessories, scary things, gross things and all things spooky at just about every store you venture into. I’m sure for parents on the go, this one-stop shop approach is convenient. But to me, it takes the anticipation and excitement out of the holiday.

The subject of homemade versus store-bought Halloween costumes came up when talking with friends this weekend, when one said her friend had planned to take her child to buy his costume that day.

It’s no secret how much I love the fall, the month of October, Halloween and everything scary, fun and shocking about the paranormal.

I cut my journalism teeth while I was a page designer at my first newspaper by doing a series of fun stories on supposedly haunted locations in my hometown.

My thrill for all things scary—albeit not gory—followed me here to Brunswick County. While I’ve had fewer opportunities to creep around in old buildings hoping to see or hear something unexplained, I still love this time of year.